Should I See an Eye Doctor for a Black Eye?

Most people associate black eyes with blunt trauma, though they can be caused by anything from facial surgery to allergies. You can treat black eyes with standard home care, including over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses, and rest and relaxation. However, in some cases, you may need to see an eye doctor in Pittsburgh to get a professional opinion. We’ll look at when this common condition signifies a more serious issue.

When to Be Concerned

It’s usually time to schedule an emergency appointment if you notice the following:

• Extended symptoms: Black eyes should start to look better after a week or two, and should start to feel better before then. If your symptoms are either stagnating or getting worse, this could mean that you have a more serious injury.
• Changing vision: It’s common to experience blurry or double vision right after blunt trauma, but if the symptoms persist or you begin to lose your vision entirely, you’ll need a professional evaluation.
• Ongoing vomiting: Black eyes may be traumatic, but they typically don’t include recurring vomiting. An eye doctor in Greensburg can tell you that this symptom is more associated with head trauma.

Seeing an Eye Doctor in Greensburg

If you have a standard black eye in Greensburg, seeing an eye doctor (or a regular doctor) is likely unnecessary. If your black eye is accompanied by more serious symptoms, such as draining fluid, dizziness, and irregularly dilated pupils, it may be time to see a professional.

At Lappen Eye Care, we can not only answer your questions, we can recommend the right specialist to see — whether that’s one of our doctors or not. We offer emergency eye services in the Greensburg area, so you can get real help when you need it most.